A resolution for us all: be kind
Increasing exercise, eating healthier and saving more money are some of the most common New Year’s resolutions that people make each year. Although it is admirable setting goals to become better, the reality is that most New Year’s resolutions fail by the second week of February.
How are you doing with your goals? You might be like me and have already fallen short on your New Year’s resolutions, but there is one resolution that none of us should ever give up on: being kind. Celebrated in February each year, National Random Acts of Kindness Day continues to gain popularity in communities and in schools. Schools may put a special emphasis on kindness for a designated week or for the entire month, but in reality, being kind is something each of us should strive for every day of the year.
From mid-January to the end of February, Alberta Education surveys parents, students and teachers as part of their “annual check-up on the education system.” The online survey is anonymously administered through Random Access Codes which the school provides to each respondent. The survey, also known as the Accountability Pillar, measures several components of school life, one of which is in the area Safe and Caring. I encourage parents to complete the survey as the combined data provides schools and jurisdictions with valuable information used to improve school culture and learning achievement. Livingstone Range School Division has been able to report results similar to the provincial average of 89 per cent satisfaction for Safe and Caring schools. While the results are encouraging, we always strive for continued growth to make sure that our schools reflect a positive, welcoming and respectful environment for students, staff and parents.
Recently, I read two very thought-provoking messages. The first contained powerful words from an unknown source: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” The second, attributed to James Baldwin, was just as intriguing: “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.”
Many would agree that what we need in our schools, now more than ever, is kindness. Where do children learn to be kind? If Baldwin is correct, then our actions as adults speak louder than words. Here are some of the questions I ask myself which you might also ask of yourself. Do children observe me treating others kindly? Do they see me helping those in need? Do they see me saying kind words to others? If we want our children to be kind, we as parents, teachers and community members need to be kind. This is my 2019 resolution. I hope it is one of yours as well.
Each Wednesday superintendents from around our region offer insights and news on the school system. Darryl Seguin